diplomacy

noun

di·​plo·​ma·​cy də-ˈplō-mə-sē 

1

: the art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations

2

: skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility : tact

handled the awkward situation with diplomacy

Synonyms

• tact
• tactfulness

Examples of diplomacy in a Sentence

She has had a long and distinguished career in diplomacy.

The government avoided a war by successfully resolving the issues through diplomacy.

This is a situation that calls for tactful diplomacy.

Recent Examples on the Web

The crackdown on scam centers and the deportation of the Uyghurs should be seen as connected rather than the deportation being an example of bamboo diplomacy, said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a professor of political science and international relations at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025

Multilateral diplomacy is evidently not a priority at the moment. —Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025

Even allies grew accustomed to having to offer Trump something in return for his diplomacy. —Fatima Al-Kassab, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025

Trade, on the other hand, is a more viable route by which the U.S. can build strong relationships with Africa, and is also in line with President Donald Trump’s style of diplomacy through transactions. —Paul Tilsley, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see diplomatic

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing diplomacy

• dollar diplomacy
• gunboat diplomacy
• shuttle diplomacy

Kids Definition

diplomacy

noun

di·​plo·​ma·​cy də-ˈplō-mə-sē 

1

: the work of keeping up relations between the governments of different countries

2

: skill in dealing with others without causing bad feelings : tact